Giving 111 Percent: College Football Playoffs Semi-Finals

After a bye week last week, action resumed in the College Football Playoffs today. The match-up for next week’s College Football Championship is set, as today featured one blowout and one nail biter. In case you missed it, here is a recap of last round’s action. (Round One)

#5 USC Trojans 35, #8 Missouri Tigers 31

The Tigers could not stop USC’s high-powered offense, as Chauncey Washington and Joe McKnight combined for over 150 rushing yards and three TDs. USC Quarterback John David Booty made sure this wasn’t the last game of his college career, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns while not turning the ball over. Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel had a big game, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 TDs. However, the Tigers couldn’t keep up with USC’s balanced offensive attack. USC heads to the title game.

#3 LSU Tigers 31, #7 Virginia Tech Hokies 14

VT looked for revenge of an early season blowout to LSU in September, which saw the Hokies fall to the Tigers by the score of 48-7. But despite the great motivation, VT was simply overmatched in all facets of the game. The LSU dual quarterback threat with Ryan Perrilloux and Matt Flynn provided enough offense against a stout Hokie defense. On offense, the Hokies, as they did in September, struggled mightily. The Tigers first shut down Branden Ore, and then dropped back into pass coverage and let Glenn Dorsey pressure VT's Sean Glennon. Facing an early deficit, Glennon was forced to pass - not the Hokies' strength as they averaged less than 200 pass yards per game this season. LSU sustained long drives by handing the ball to Jacob Hester nearly every down, and he wore down both the Tech defense and the clock. Thanks to the early lead, the Tigers controlled the game and were never truly threatened.